Pakistani Government Stands Up For Persecuted Christians, Charges Asia Bibi Protestors With Terrorism And Subversion

While Pakistan is a state with a known history of Christian persecution, there is continual evidence that, on some level, the government is making efforts to attempt to deal with the issue. In one such notable example, the Pakistani government has been arresting those who have been protesting the release of Catholic Asia Bibi and charging them with terrorism and sedition according to a report:

On November 23, Pakistani authorities detained Khadim Hussain Rizvi and other members of the Tehreek-e-Labbaik (TLP) for leading three days of protest against the acquittal of Asia Bibi. Last week, Rizvi and others were ultimately charged with sedition and terrorism.

Rizvi’s deputy, Afzal Qadri, also was charged with sedition and terrorism after calling for the murder of Pakistan’s Supreme Court Justices and for the overthrow of the country’s army chief during the riots. According to authorities, arrests of those involved in the riots have been made across the country.

Talking to Reuters, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudary said, “We have decided to take legal action against the TLP leadership. All those who were directly involved in destroying property, who misbehaved with women, who set fire to buses, are being charged under laws of terrorism at different police stations.”

Asia Bibi, a Christian woman recently acquitted of blasphemy charges, remains a highly charged issue in Pakistan. Religious extremists claim that she must be put to death despite being acquitted by the Supreme Court. Bibi and her family remain in Pakistan under the protection of the government, but are seeking asylum outside of the country. (source)